Harvester-thresher combine



June 27, w. R DRAY HARVESTER-THRESHER COMBINE Q QM v. H N mm m .m M W 1vv .8% M

BY-g

Filed Dec. 29, 1939 June 27, 1944. w: R. DRAY, 2,352,257

' HARVESTER-THRESHER COMBINE Filed Dec. 29, 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

June 27, 194-4. w; DRAY HARVESTER-THRESHER COMBINE Filed Dec. 29, 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 3- mwwh ATTORNEY6.

June 27, 1944. w. R. DRAY HARVES 'IER THRESHER COMBINE Filed Dec. 29, 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Irg T WHE s 1 .Lwx.

Mm kw QM NM June 27, 1944. w. R. -DRAY 2,352,257

HARVESTER-THRESHER COMBINE Filed Dec. 29, 1939 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VENTOR.

' ATTORNEYJ.

June 27, 1944. w. R. DRAY 2,352,257

HARVESTER- THRESHER COMBINE Filed Dec. 29, 1939 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 June 27, 1944. w. R. DRAY HARVESTER-THRESHER COMBINE Filed Dec. 29, 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 far/1% M ATTORNEY 6 June 27,1944. 2,352,257

HARVESTER-THRESHER COMBINE Filed Dec. 29, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 June 27, 1944. w, R HARVESTER-THRESHER COMBINE Filed Dec. 29, 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 June 27, 1944. R. RAY 2,352,257

HARVESTER-THRESHER COMBINE Filed Dec. 29,1939 13 sheets-sheet 10 ,June 27, 1944. R DRAY 2,352,257

HARVES TER- THRESHER COMBINE Filed D ec. 29, 1939 15 Sheets-Sheet 1'1 Q N N a m *1 A TTORN E Y? June 27, 1944. w DRAY 2,352,257

HARVESTER-THRESHER COMBINE Filed Dec. 29, 1939' 1s Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTORY 1 .722 m ATTORNEYJI THRESHER COMBINE Filed D90. 29, 1939 15 Sheets-Sheet 13 INVENTOR;

Patented June 27, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARVES'TEIt-THRESHER COMBINE Walter R. Dray, Geneseo, 111.

Application December 29, 1939, Serial No.'3-11,572

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a harvesting-thresh chine which may be of: more inexpensive construction, yet compact and rigid; in-character and capable of efficiently handling, with a minimum of adjustment or replacement of elements. substantially all manner of crops in various conditions of growth and is' of considerably less weight than prior' harvesting-threshing machines:

This invention further contemplates the: provision of positive driving means between the main drive shaft carried on themain frame of the. combine and the sickle mechanism carried atthe forwardend of a header. swingably-mounted on the main frame, and which driving connection is simple and efficient and includes means permitting the swinging of the header relative tothe fixed drive shaft;

The invention also seeks to provide a simplifled header construction having means for feeding the crop along the bottom, relatively nonshiftable wall of' the header; and wherein the header is provided with forwardly projecting, outwardly flaring dividers for gathering in the crops which would otherwise be crushed by the machine as it travelsthrough the field of crops.

It is another object of this invention to provide a simplified header liftf mechanism, including means which may extend forwardly of the machine for manipulation by an operator on the tractor or other draft vehicle.

The applicants invention further contemplates the provision of a harvesting-threshing machine, providing a crop-gathering header andmeans'f'or sofeeding the crops along the header by means of a reel adjacent the forward end of; the header, that the usual canvas belt or conveyor extending along-the header may be eliminated.

Other and further objects and advantages of the'invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig; 1 is a fragmentary view in elevationof the left side of' a harvester-thresher combine embodying' the invention Fig. 2' is a fragmentary detail view in elevation of a header lift mechanism, forming part, of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a view in elevationof the right side of the combine shown. in Fig. I;

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical. section taken substantially along the line 4-4. of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of the rear of the combine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken substantially along the line 66 ofFig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken substantially along the line 1-+-|1of Fig. 5; Fig. 8i'is: a fragmentaryview in. vertical section taken. substantially along .the.=line- 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig; 9' is an enlarged fragmentaryview invertical section taken along the line 9-.-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10: is a longitudinalsection taken substantially along the line [0-40 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 1-1 is. a fragmentary section taken along the line ll?-H of Fig; 10;

Fig. 12'. is aview-in; perspective showing the framestructure, the draft connection to the-frame structure, and the manner in which the. power take-off propeller is supported. upon the draft connection;

Fig; 13 is a. fragmentary view in. perspective taken from the front and on theright. sideof the machine and illustrating. certain details of the I header-construction;

Fig. 14 is a section taken substantially along the line l4l Lot Fig.13';..

Fig. 15 is a. fragmentaryzviewin. perspective, showing certain details of theheader construction;

Fig. 16 is. a, fragmentary. view. in. elevation showing; certain. details. of. the. header structure and the mounting of a crop-lifting member;

Fig. 1.7. is a SBCtiQRatBikEIJ. substantially along the line Il-l'l of Fig..1 6;.

Fig. 18' is a view in elevation andpa-rtly in vertical section showing; the: drivemeans. for the sickle;

Fig; 19 is a fragmentary: view in; section taken alongthe line; I 9 I9 of Fig. 18;;

Fig.,20 is a view iii-vertical section on the line 20.20"of Fig; 18;

Fig. 21 is a longitudinal. section taken substantially along, the line 21-21 of 15';

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary plan; view of the sickle;

Fig. 23 is an enlarged, view insection taken substantially along the line 2 32 3' of Fig. .3 and illustrating certain details of the crop-feeding reel;

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary view invertical section taken along the line; 24.24 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is. a viewin; section; taken substantially along the line 25-25s of Fig. 3 and illustrating certain details of the mounting, of the crop-engaging fingers of the feedzreelg;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary view in elevation illustrating the mountingof; said crop-engaging fingers;

Fig. 2-7 is a view in perspective of a crop-feeder for feeding the crop from the header into the threshing mechanism;

Fig. 2.8 is an enlarged view in section taken substantially along the line- 2-8-48, of Fig. 27;

Fig. 29- is a fragmentary view in elevation of the feeder shown in Fig. 27, with certain parts broken away from; purposes. of illustration;

Fig. 30. is. an. enlarged. horizontal section taken substantially along the line 30.'30of Fig. 3 and -38, Figs. 1, 3, and 5, for feeding the grain from illustrating a change speed drive for the threshing mechanism;

Fig. 31 is a view in perspective of the threshing cylinder forming part of the threshing mechanism; Y I

Fig. 32 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the threshing cylinder;

Fig. 33 is a substantially vertical section taken along the line 3333 of Fig. 32; r

Fig. 34 is a fragmentar view in section taken along the line 3434 of Fig. 33;

Fig. 35 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the concave which cooperates with the threshing cylinder to form the threshing mechanism;

Fig. 36 is a detail View illustrating the form of the bars which form part of the concave;

Fig. 37 is an enlarged View in vertical section taken substantially along the line 3131 of Fig. 5

and illustrating certain details of a grain and chaff elevator;

Fig. 38 is an enlarged horizontal section taken substantially along the line 38-38 of Fig. 37;

Fig. 39 is an enlarged generally horizontal sec- Oi? tion taken substantially along the line 3939 of Fi .1;

Fig. 40 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken along th line 4048 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 41 is 'a view in perspective of one unit of 7,71 the grain cleaner and conveyor;

Fig. 42 is a fragmentary view'in vertical section taken substantially along the line 42-42 of Fig. 41; and

Fig. 43 is a fragmentaryrplan view of a screens; for conveying the stalks and separating the grain 5 and chaff-therefrom.

Fig. 44 is a view of a portion of a longitudinal section similar to Fig. 10, but showing a modified form of feeder and a modified form of mounting 3 therefor; 40

Fig. 45 is a view in section taken substantially along the line 45-45 of Fig.44;

Fig. 46 is a fragmentary view in elevation from the right sideof the machine of Fig. 44; Fig. 47 is a view in elevation and partly in section on the left side of the machine of Fig. 44;

As shown in the drawings, the machine in which the present invention is embodied comprises a main frame 2, Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 12; sup-,- 1 porting a power take-off or propeller 8, Figs. 1, 50 and 12, adapted to be detachably connected to the draft bar and propeller shaft of a tractor ID; a header l2, Figs. 1, 3, 10, 13 to 17, which supports a sickle I-4, Figs. 3, 10, 13 to 15, 21 and.

feed I 6, Figs. 1, 3, 10, 23 to 26; crop-gathering means or dividers l8, Figs. 1, 3, 5, and'13- to 1'7;

and a header lift mechanism 20, Figs. 1 to 3;

a threshing mechanism 22, Fig. 10 and Figs. 31 to 36; a feeder 24,-Figs. 10 and 2'7 to 29, for feeding the fodder from the header l2 into the threshing mechanism 22'; a rack or conveyor 26. Figs. 5, 10, 40 and 43, for conveying the stalks from the threshing mechanism to'the point of dis. charge fromthe machine including means for separating the grain and chaff from the stalks and for conveying the chaff to a feed screw 28, Figs. 5, 10, 37 and 38; a cleaner 3!], Figs. 10 and 40 to 42, receiving grain and chaff from a feed screw 32, Figs. 10, 37 and 40;a grain receiving tank 34, Figs. 1, 3, 4, and '5; an elevator or grain and chaff conveyor 36; Figs. '1, 5, -6, 37 and 38, for feeding grain and chaff from the feed screw 28 to the feed screw 32; an elevator 'or grain conveyor her or angle bar 62.

than the member 62.

the uprights 64 and 16. .journaled in the plate 88 and in the bracket 66, .secured to the upright 16, extends transversely beyond the upright 76 and provides in effect an uprights l4 and 16.

the grain receiving feed screw 48, Figs. 10 and 40, of the cleaner to the grain tank 34; a drive mechanism 44, Figs. 1 and 18 to 20, for the sickle I4; driving connections 46, Fig. 1, for the reel feed; change speed driving connections 48,,Figs. 3 and 30, for the threshing mechanism; driving connections 58, Figs. 1 and 10, for the rack or conveyor 26; driving connections 52 and 54, Fig. 1, for certain parts of the cleaner 38; driving connection56, Figs. 3, 5 and 40, for the feed screws 32 and 48' and for the elevators 36 and 38, and a driving connection 58, Figs. 1 and 38, for the feed screw 28.

The main frame. and wheel members As best shown in Fig.'12, the main frame 2 comprises a main transverse member or I-beam to which is secured at one end an upright'mem- A second upright member or angle bar 64 is secured to the beam 60 intermediate the ends of the latter and it should be noted that this member 64 is of greater length An inclined member'or angle bar 66 connects the members 62 and 64 at their upper ends, and a second transverse frame member or angle bar 68 extends parallel to the beam 68 and is secured thereto by longitudinal members 18 and 72 which may be. angle bars, if desired. Vertical frame members or angle bars 14 and 16 are secured to the transverse frame member 68, the member 14 being secured to one end of the member 68 and the member'16 being secured substantially at the point of conupright member 64.

A longitudinal frame member I8 is connected to the upper end of the upright 62 and at-its forward end is connected by a plate or bracket 86 to the upper end of the upright 14. A longitudinal frame member 82 connects the upper ends of A horizontal shaft 84 upper transverse frame member connecting the The frame members 60 to 82 and the shaft 84 constitute a substantially boxllike main frame portion rigidified against movement or deflection by diagonal frame members 88 and 98 secured to and extending between the upper and lower ends of the frame members 62 22, and includes a crop-feeding meansor reel 50' and 16 and rigidified against vertical movement intermediate point along the upright 14.

The main frame 2 comprises, in addition to the box-like frame portion above described, a tank-supporting frame portion 96 which also serves to rigidify and strengthen the box-like frame portion. This frame portion 96 comprises an upright member or angle bar 98 secured to the other end of the frame member 68 from the upright 14, the upright 98 being shorter than the upright 16 and being connected thereto by an inclined frame member or angle bar I00 and an angle bar I82 which extends between the lower end of the upright 16 and the upper end of the upright 98. The frame member I84 extends betweenthe. upper: end. of the upright 64" and the upper: end of the upright 98. The upright 98 is also connected to the lower end of the upright 64 by the frame member or angle bar I06. It will be seen that the diagonal frame members I90 to I06 further rigidifythe box-like frame portion as against vertical and horizontal movements or deflections. A diagonal frame member I08'extends between one end of the beam :50 and the upper end of the upright 64; and a diagonal frame member IIO extends between this same end of the beam and the upper end of the" upright I6. These diagonal frame members I 08 and H0 additionally rigidify and strengthen the box-like frame portion against vertical and horizontal-*- slidably receiving atits opposite ends telescoping propeller bars I68 and'II-O, the bars being secured against rotation relative to the propeller tube or shaft. For this purpose the bars I 68 andII0 may be of stock rectangular in cross section and received within similarly shaped openings in the tub'e'or shaft I66. The bar l'I0 is'connecte'd by a universal coupling or joint Il2 to a rod or shaft I1 4 in turn connected by a transmissionjmechanism' I16 to the main drive shaft "8 of the harvester-thresher' combine.

The bar or shaft I68 is'pivotally supported on the forward end of the auxiliary frame or draft connection 6 by means of'a yoke I80i A universal coupling or joint 200 connects the forwardend' of the bar I68 to a similar bar 202 provided at its forward end with; the usual means for connecting the propeller shaft of the harvester-thresher combine with the power take-off shaft of the tractor.

The header The header I2 comprises a frame work including upper and lower parallel bars 206, 201; 208, 2'I'0and? 212 (Flgs l, 3, 1'3 and 15) pivotallysecured'attheir rear ends'to brackets as 2 I3 (Fig. '1) carried by the upstanding frame" members-.14,

16 and 98, the bars 206 and 201 converging at their forwardends; and being interconnected with the bar'2 I'0 byi'a rod 214 (Figs. 1 and 15) and the bars 200 and. 2'I2being interconnected by a bar" or strap 2'I6' (Figs. 3 and 13). The side walls-of the headerare fbrmed'by sheet metal plates 2I8, 220, 222 and 224;the plate 220 being secured at its lower edge to the ba'r 2), the plate 222' being secured to the bars 288 and 2'I2', and 'the plates- M8 and 224'bein'g secured to and projecting forwardly from the frame bars" and "I6 respectively bracket or brackets 234' (Fig; 10) I The lowerplate 228' is. pivoted to. the. lower edge of the" plate: 226

by atr-ansversel hinge 236. The forward edge of the plate 228 isse'cured' to the transverse supporting bar 238 (Figs. 21 and 22) 'Thesickle I4 comprises a stationaryblade 240 having spaced forwardly projecting and overhanging guardfingers' 242. The blade 240' has rearwardly projecting portions 244' bolted to the supporting member or foundation bar 238. A

transversely reciprocating bar 245 carries a plurality of saw-toothed shearing blades 248 which cooperate with the stationary blade 240 to cut the crop. The supporting member or foundation bar 238 is supported upon an angle bar 250 bya transversely extending sheet 'metal strap 252 welded at one end to the bar 250 and bolted to th member 238. The bar 250 extends transversely of the header and is secured at its opposite ends in any convenient manner topairs of angle bars 254 on opposite sides of the header, which bars, as subsequently described, form part of a'reenforcing frame for the dividers I8 and a support for one end of the sickle drive mechaprism 44. The housing for the portion of the foundation bar 238 projecting beyond the right side of the machine is formed by a plate or plates 255secured to the bars 254 and a plate 258 overlying the plate 256 and secured to said bars. The header is provided-with a plurality of transversely spaced, adjustable ground-engaging shoes 260 (Fig. 21) for supporting the header when in lowe'red' position. Each'shoecomprises a sheet metal ground-engaging plate 262 resting on the bar 250 and secured to a strap 264 bolted for. relative transverse adjustment to an angle bar 265 welded to the lower surface of the bottom wall section 228, the strap 264 being preferably bolted' t'o the plate 262 for relative adjustment by bolt 26'! and shims or washers 269. Straps 266 and 268,

which may be formed integrally with the plate will be maintained at the proper minimum distance from the surface of the ground. The rear end of the plate orskid 262 is turned upwardly as at 210 so that the combine may be backed without scooping dirt. The transverse adjustability ofthe-shoes permits the shoes to be aligned with the crop ridges of acte'r of crops The crop feeding means or reel feed I'6"co'mprises a reel 212 having a central tubular shaft 214'extending'transversely of the header and supporting within the header adjacent the opposite a particular field or charside walls a'plurality' of radially extending arms 216 secured to 'hub' plat'es' 218 secured in any convenient manner to the tubular shaft 214. At its opposite ends the tubular shaft 2W is mounted u on solid, stationary' shafts 280 and '28 2,the

s'haft 2'80'rotatably supporting a bearing sleeve 284 having enlarged end portions 286 engaging and supportingan end of the tubular" shaft 214 and secured to'the shaft 214 as byscre'ws" 288. A nut 290 on the shaft 280 has dust excl'udihg "washers 292* closing-one end of the tubular shaft. The sleeve284 is held against axial. movement'on 'jam nuts 2941" The sleeve 296, Fig. 23, is journaled on the shaft 282 and has enlarged end portions 298 engaging and supporting the other end of the tubular shaft 214 and fastened to the tube as by the screws 300. A cam 302 is welded or otherwise fastened to the shaft 282 and is disposed between the pair of hub plates 218 at the right-hand end of the tubular shaft which terminates between these uprights. Thrust washers 304 interposed between the radial face of the cam 302 and the endof the sleeve 296 prevent relative axial movement of the cam and sleeve in one direction and exclude dirt and dust from this end of the tubular shaft. Axial movement of the tubular shaft and sleeve 296 in'the opposite direction is prevented by the adjusting and jam nuts 306. Rubber-like washers 303 are mounted on the shaft 282 and interposed between the outer hub plate 218 and the cam 302 to prevent dirt and stalks from getting into th space between the hub plates 218.

The shaft 280 is mounted on the bar 3 l (Figs. 15 and 23) projecting upwardly from an angular brace or support having arms 3 I 2 and 3l4 secured to or formed integrally at their upper ends with the rod 214. The shaft 282 is mounted on a bar 3l6 (Figs. 13 and 20) extending upwardly from a rod 3l8 secured at its lower end to the outer angle bar 254. The bars 3|0 and 3l6 are each provided with slots 320 receiving the ends of the shafts 280 and 282 for adjustment in a vertical direction as may be desired. Jam nuts 322 on the shaft 280 at opposite sides of the bar 3|0 prevent axial movement of the reel.

A lever 324 (Fig. 24) having a split hub 326 is clamped on the outer end of the shaft 282 and provides readily operable means for angularly adjusting the cam 302 secured to the shaft.

The radial reel arms 216 at opposite ends of the tubular shaft 214 support reel bats or bars 328, Fig. 26, which are pivotally mounted on the arms as by hinge brackets 330, each having a strap 332, a hinge pin 334 and a hinge strap 336 having strap portions 338 and 340 embracingan end of the reel bat 328 and clamped thereto as by a bolt 342 fastening the ends of the strap portions 338 and 340. The reel bats 328, as well as the reel arms 216, are preferably of wood and preferably there are four sets of each. That is to say, there are four pairs of opposite reel arms 216'interconnected by four articulated reel bats 328. The reel bats 328 are swung through angles of roughly ninety degrees during each revolution of the reel, and this accomplished by means of the stationary cam 302 through operating links or pitmans 344 at the right-hand side of the reel. The links 344 extend parallel to the reel arms 216 at this end of the reel and are guided for reciprocative movement relative to the reel arms 216 by straps 346 secured to the hub plates 218 at the right end of the tubular shaft 214. The straps 346 extending between these hub plates 218 form a completely closed housing for the cam 302, thereby preventing'dirt, stalks and such like from jamming the links 344. Each link 344 carries at its inner end a pair of spaced sheet metal plates 348 extending beyond the link and supporting between their extending ends as by a pin 350 a cam roller 352. Each link 344 at its outer end is adjustably connected to a tip or extension bar 354 by bolts 356 passing through slots 358 in the bar 354. The bar 354 is'connected to the strap portion or'lever 338 of the hinge strap 330 at the right end of the reel by a pivot bolt 36*0 threaded into a boss 362 formed on the hinge strap portion 338 above the pivot bolt of the header;

sickle.

334. Each link 344 is onl loosely guided between its associated reel arm 216 and "guide strap 346 so as to permit the link to swing through the slight angle necessary to accommodate the swinging of the hinge strap 336 to which it is connected. The hub plates 218 on the tubular shaft 214 at the left-hand side of the header are bolted together and to the radial arms 216 at this end of the shaft.

The hub plates are welded to the shaft 214 and are further secured to'the shaft by being welded thereto and byangularly spaced members or straps 364 welded or otherwise secured to the inner hub plate and to the shaft. The radial arms 216'at this side 'of the header, by means of straps 366 (Fig. 1), support a pulley rim 368 by which the reel 212 is driven through the arms 216, the hub plates 218 and the straps 364 at the left-hand end of th header. 3

Each reel bat is provided with a plurality of sets of reel fingers 310 spaced longitudinally thereof substantially across the entire width Each set of reel fingers comprises a relatively rigid wire formed centrally with a U-shaped portion'312, Figs. 25 and 26, receiving an attaching bolt or screw 314 by which the set of reel fingers, is secured to the bat 328, and with spaced reel fingers 316 projecting radially of the-reel outwardly beyond the bat and joined to the central portion by coiled portions or convolutions 318 inwardly of the fingers and resting upon the outer edge of the reel bat. The outer free end of each reel finger 316is preferably bent as at 308 (Fig. 3) in the direction of rotation'of the reel to facilitate the releaseof the crop from the reel fingers at the proper time. The reel fingers constitute in effect the prongs of four rakes which grasp the crop and as the reel is rotated, feed it across the sickle and longitudinally of the header to the feeder 24 and then release the crop for movement by the feeder into the threshing mechanism 22. The reel fingers 316 are readily yieldable by virtue of their construction and particularlyby virtue of the coiled portion 318 of each reel finger to prevent jamming of the reel by heavy crops which may be grasped by the fingersbut not yet cut by the The reel fingers are extended radially of the reel as the fingers grasp and carry the crop along the header but as the fingers pass the feeder 24 they are swung through an angle of ninety degrees in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the reel so that the crop will drop off the' fingers in front of the feeder as the crop is transferred to the feeder. This angular movement of the fingers relative to the reel is accomplished by the stationary cam 302 which, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 24, moves each link 344 outwardly relative to its associated reel arm 216 as the associated reel bat swings downwardly and'rearwardly toward the sickle 14. As a reel .bat passes in front of the feeder 24, the relieved portion of the cam 302 permits the associated link 344 to move inwardly and therefore rotate the reel bat through an angle of ninety degrees in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the reel. This inward movement of the links 344 is caused by coiled springs 382 connected at their outer ends to pins 384 carried by the links 344 and at their inner ends of a ring 386 concentric with the shaft 214.

The crop gathering means or dividers 18 comprise diverging side Walls 388 and 390 formed as integral extensions of the side walls 220 and 222 of the header and projecting forwardly well beyond the sickle I4 so as to gather in the crop which would otherwise be crushed down and destroyedby the wheels of the machine and the appurtenances projecting beyondthe sides of the header. The side wall 390 is supported and rigidified at itslower end by the framework comprising'the straps 254 and the plate 258 extending'therebetween and by angle bars 392 and 39!: extending forwardly from the angle bars 2.54 and converging at the forward end of the wall 3%. A'pla'te396.extendingbetween the lateral flanges of the angle bars 392 and 394 cooperates with the plate 258 in preventing crops and stalks from becoming entangled with the bracing structure for the wall 390 of the divider, and also prevents,

as will later appear, crops from becoming entangled with the header lift mechanism and the driving mechanism for the threshing mechanism 22, which driving mechanism is carried on the outer right-hand side of the machine and might otherwise become jammed by the crop or stalks. A vertical reenforcing strap 398 extends along the'outersurface of the wall 399 from the-upper frame bar 288 of the header to the inner lower angle bar 254. A likereenforcing strap 4130 extends from this bar 208 diagonally along the outer surface of the wall 390 and at its lower end is joined to the forward end of the frame bars 392 and 394. A reenforcing and frame rod 492 is formed integrallyat its lower end with the rod 3 l8 and extends upwardly and inwardly at an angle to a point of connection at the upper edge of the side wall 390; The side wall 388 is supported and reenforced by a similar frame structure, of which the angle bars 254 are connected to the lower ends of the rods 2l4, 3l2 and 314. In this case, however, the reenforcing strap 492 which corre sponds to the reenforcing strap 480 extends not along the outer surface of the side wall 388, but outwardly of the pulley rim 368 and along the turned-over edge of the side wall 388 and an additional reenforcing strap 4&4 extends from the forward edge of the outer angle bar 254 to this turned-over edge of the side wall 388.

The forward edges of the side walls 388 and 39B are turned outwardly or rolled to provide upper and lower horns 406 and 408 respectively forming in effect Y-dividers. The face of each horn is of convex configuration so that the crop will be directed smoothly and readily into the feed reel. At the lower ends of the horns 408 the dividers are provided with flexible snouts 4"], each of which comprises a tube 4l2 of flexible material closed at one end by a bullet-shaped cap 4 I 4 having an inwardly projecting pin portion 4l6 frictionally. grasped by the tube wall, or pinned thereto as may be desired. At its inner end each snout is secured by a bolt M8 to the socket plates 420 of a ball and socket universal joint of which the ball 422 is carried by a strap 424 fastenedto the lower rolled edge of the horn 468 or the angle bars 392 and 394. The bolt 418 is so tightened as to frictionally'bind the parts of the ball joint sufficiently to maintain the snout in its various adjusted positions.

Reenforcing and crop directing ribs are provided by angle bars 426 and 428 which extend from the upper ends of the horns 4% downwardly and then rearwardly along the side walls 388 and 390 of the dividers and the side walls 220 and 22.2 of the header, and are secured to the side walls in a convenient manner as by bolts or rivets passing through the vertical flanges of these angle bars. The dividersnot only help to make the reel feedwork better than previous reel feeds, but in cooperation with the reel feed,- eliminate the need for the usual .canvas'draper and/or augur employed insubstantially all present day harvesterthresher combines. The lower horns 4.08 pick up the crop anddirect it upwardlywhile .the diverging side walls388 and Y393 direct thecrop inwardly toward'the siokleandreel bat so that the crushing.of the crops at the sides. of the machine .is eliminated and these crops properly harvested. The upper horns 406 and the ribs 426 and 428 directrthe raised crops downwardly 'so that they do not .jamatthe sides of the reel nor become entangled "with the reel bats or the extension panels430 associated with each: reel bat by being secured at their opposite edges to the radial arms 2 16 of the reel. The snouts. 4l0 provide means which raise-verylow crops and direct them 'onto the horns 4'08. If a snout happens to snagitself in the ground or inheavy entangled roots or with stones, the snout -bends backward and-suffers no damage.- After the obstruction ispassed, the snout--snaps-.back in position to continue its normal raising and dividing operation. If viny crops-being harvested aretoo greatly entangled to be handled by the shouts-in the down position shown in Figs. 13 to 15, they may be swung or tipped upwardly. so as to ride over thebedof entangled crops andvines. In row crops where the ridges --are high; the snouts may be set to ride below the level at which-the sickle is cutting so as to pick up the crops or stalks out of the hollows between the rows or ridges." I

The main purpose of the dividers is,however,

'* to take care of leaning stalks-which might'otherwise get between a side of the reel and a side of the header and not get fed upinto thefeeder 24, and to divide suchleam'ng -stalks which are in the path of the machine and should be harvested from the'stalks whichare outsidethe path of the machine and on which the stalks to be harvested may lean'or with which they may have become entangled. It will beevidentthat thesnoutslfi can beswung in or out laterally'to increasethe dividing range of the dividers so that the machine may-cut relatively'narrow or wide swaths through the crop. I

When the'crop to be harvested is particularly tall; extension bars may be secured to the angle bars-426 to project upwardly above the horns-495 so that the unusually tallstalks' of suchcro-ps are directed downwardly-into the reel bats and are prevented from entangling between the sides of L the reel and the sides of the header and are prevented'from wrapping around the reel shaft-or thereel bat extension panels 430.

The ribs'4 26 act as'cont inuations of the upper horns 486 and tendto keepthe cut crop down so that it will easily enter underthe reel bats and be 'fed to the lower part of the feeder 24.

It will be evident that the dividers enable a swath tofbe cut through the 'crop wider than the width of the sickle and header. 1 a

The header lift mechanism'iil comprises the shaft 84 which forms part of the main frame 2,

but is rotatably mounted in the brackets 0 and 86. A sprocket 432- (Fig. 3) is secured to the end of the shaft-'84 at the right-hand side of the machine and this sprocket is coupled to and drives the chain '434secured at its lower end to an inclined rod 436,- the .rdd436 being secured at its'lowe'r end to-a bracket 438 secured to the header structure substantially in line with the hinge 236 which pivotally connects the bottom wallplates 22.6 and 228 .of the header. As shown in Figs. 3 and 13; the bracket 438 is secured to v or formed integrally with a rear end of the auxiliary box-like reenforcing frame structure formed by the angle. bars 254 at the right-hand side of the machine.

At the left-hand side of the machine the shaft 84 extends beyond themain frame 2 (see Fig. 12) and is journaled in a rearwardly extending bracket 440 secured to the upright 98. A sprocket 442 (Fig. 2) is secured to the shaft 84 relatively adjacent the upright 16 and over this sprocket passes a chain 444 secured at its lower end to a rod 446 similar to the rod 436 and secured by a similar bracket 448 to the header structure substantially in line with the hinge 436 and in line with the point of connection of the rod 436 to the header structure. The other end of the chain 444 is connected .to a spring or set of springs 458 (Fig. 1) secured at its rear end to one of the frame members as, for example, to the frame member 64 or l04-adjacent its upper end. A cylindrical ratchet 452 is secured to the shaft 34 adjacent the bracket 440 and journaled on the shaftvin juxtaposition to the ratchet there is a lever 454 having oppositely extending arms 456 and-458. An opening 468 is formed in the lower end of the lever arm 456 and through this opening passes a pull cord or rope 462 which is connected at one end to a pawl 464 journaled on a pin carried by the lever arm 456 in position to engage the teeth of the ratchet 452. A coiled spring 466 urges the pawl in a, counter-clockwise direction and normally maintains it in a position released from the ratchet 452. The pull cord or rope 462 extends forwardly from the lever arm 456, passes over a guiding cross bar 468 extending between the'frame bars I44 and I46 of the draft connection 6,- and rests at its forward free end in a holder secured to the seat of the tractor I or adjacent thereto so as to be readily manipulated by the tractor operator. A coiled spring 418 connected at one end to the right arm 458 and at the other end to the upright 98 urges the lever in a counter-clockwise direction.

A dog or pawl 412 is journaled on a pin carried by the frame bar 98 in position to engage the teeth of the ratchet 452 and lock the ratchet against movement in a counterclockwise direction. A coil spring 414 urges the dog 412 in a clockwise direction into normal engagement with the ratchet 452. A pull cord or rope 416 extends from the dog 412 to the holder secured to or positioned adjacent the seat of the tractor In so as to be readily manipulated by the operator. A coiled spring 418 is interposed in a section of the cord 416 relatively adjacent the dog 412 and a disc or collar 480 is secured to the cord adjacent the spring 418. The collar 488 cooperates with a generally U-shaped bracket or strap 482 secured to the frame bar I44 of the draft connection to hold the dog 412 out of engagement with the ratchet when the pull cord is placed between the arms of the strap and the collar engages the forward edges thereof. The coil spring 418 is stronger than the coil spring 414 when the collar 488 engages the strap 482 50 as to insure that the dog will'be maintained in its released position. The coil spring 418 also makes it possible by a sudden jerk upon the pull cord 416 to effect a snap release of the dog from one tooth and its engagement with the next succeeding tooth of the ratchet so that very fine adjustments may be made in lowering the header.

, In order to raise the header, a pull is exerted upon the cord 462 and the movement of the cord first causes the pawl 464 to rotate in a clockwise direction relative to the lever arm 456 to engage a tooth of the ratchet 452 and the continued movement of the cord following the engagement of the pawl with the ratchet causes the lever arm 456 to rotate in a clockwise direction to effect a clockwise movement of the ratchet 452 and a raising of the header. Very fine adjustments in raising of the header may of course be ob.- tained by the distance which the cord is pulled. When it is desired to raise the header a considerable amount, the cord may be pulled and released a number of times. The coil spring 418 upon release of the cord 462 returns t e lever 454 in a counterclockwise direction so as to re-.

position the pawl 464 for engagement with a subsequent tooth of the ratchet.

In harvesting certain crops, better results may often be obtained if the height of the header above the ground is varied as the conditions of the crop and ground vary throughout the field. In prior harvester-threshing combines with which applicant is familiar, the diificulty of manipulating devices for raising and lowering the header and their inaccessibility to the operator on the tractor made the raising and lowering of the header a time-consuming operation and naturally resulted in. failure to adjust the height of the header to obtain the most efficient harvesting of the crops of the entire field.

Applicants header lift provides readily manipulatable means conveniently accessible to t e tractor operator for raising and lowering the header at will through small or large amounts as desired so that without loss of time the tractor operator may raise and lower the header to most efliciently harvest different crops and crops of different condition in the same field.

When the dog 412 is held out of engagement with the ratchet the header rides upon the skid shoes 268 which are then in engagement with the ground. The skid shoes in efiect cause the header to float upon the ground to raise and lower in accordance with the contour of the ground for the harvesting of low crops. These skid shoes are relatively long in a direction longitudinally of the machine so that they will not dig into the.

ground.

The threshing mechanism The threshing mechanism 22 comprises a cylinder 484 (Figs. 31 to 33) including a relatively large tubular shaft 486 of relatively thin sheet metal extending the full width of the main frame portion 2 and. between the sheet metal side plates 488 and 498 secured to the frame uprights 62, 64 and 66. A flanged disc 492 is positioned within each end of the tubular shaft 486 and is riveted thereto and each disc provides a mounting for a spider 494 having a hub spindle 496 for the cylinder. The spider 494 is securedto the flanged disc 492 by the bolts 498, which may receive between the spider and the flanged disc suitable shims by which the hub spindle 496 may be alined with the axis of the tubular shaft 486. Discs 500 each having a hub flange'502 are secured to each end of the tubular shaft 486 and at a plurality of equally spaced points as by means of rivets or bolts passing through the hub flanges 592. The discs 500 are provided with a plurality of angularly spaced openings 504 alined longitudinally of the tubular shaft. Between each adjacent pair of discs is mounted a plurality of angularly spaced threshing bars 586, each swingably mounted on the adjacent'discs 588 by levers 508 carrying pivot bolts or rivets509 which are received in the alined openings 504 of said disc. Each swinging threshing bar 506'preferably comprises an L-shaped angle bar '5l0 of which the flange I2 extends radially of the cylinder and has secured to its outer face a block 5l4 preferably of wood. The block 5|4 being spaced from the flange 5I2 or recessed at its ends permits a laterally extending portion 556 of each lever 508- to extend between the'block and flange 512 and be clamped therebetween as by the screw 518 passing through openings in the flange 5I2' and'the projection -5l6 and received in the block 5l4. The flange 520 of theangle bar 510 extends over the block 5 and partially'over a rubber strip or block 522 fastened to the block 5 as by countersunknails' or'rivets 524. The rubber blocks'522 provide radially extending portions 'serving'as active threshing elements and provide surfaces of resilient material so that the active faces of the swinging, threshing bars will not wear off soeasily.

The swinging, threshing barsare prevented from rotating relative to the threshing cylinder beyond certain=radially extending threshing positions by stops 526 secured tothe faces of the discs i500 and engaging the forward edges of'the levers 508. As the threshing .cylinder-isrotated, the .bars :506Lare swung .by centrifugal force into the radially extendedthreshing positions wherein the levers 508 engage-the stops 526. It will be seen, however, thatithe threshing bars 506 are free to swing in a direction opposite ltothe direction of rotation of. the threshing cylinder to protect thebarszfrom. damageuif a large stone or other unyieldable foreign matter is carried into the threshing mechanism and to prevent breakage of the cylinder or shaftdue to sudden jamming of the cylinder.

Each of the shafts '496Iat opposite ends of the tubular'shaft v486 rare .journaled in aroller bearing: 528 (Figs. 8 :and .19) mounted in'a split ring clamp .530 which in turn is welded orotherwise fastened to adjustable oppositely inclined supporting rods 5.32.. Therods 532 are adjustably mounted in the sleeve portions .534 of brackets 536 bolted'to the frameuprights 14 or -16. The adjustable supporting rods 532 provide. ready means -for assuringthezaxial .alinement of the ends .of the ,threshing cylinder ,so as .to insure free'running of the cylinder- Thetendency1of the threshing cylinder to act as a fan and blow too great a volume of air such as lwould carry-rgrain out of the end of the ma chine; is .minimized or prevented by wind suppressing-strips 538, preferably of canvas, extendingwlongitudinally of the tubular shaft between adjacentkpairs .of discs. 500, there being preferably aplurality of angularlyspaced strips 538 betweeneachl pair ofxadja'cent discs and the strips preferably extending radially of the cylinder-in alinementwith the threshing bars :when said bars are in extended position. The wind suppressing strips 538 may be secured to 'theisurfaceof'the tubular .shaft '486-or the discs 500 in any.con-

venient'manner. V

=.'!Ih ithreshing'acylinder 484 (cooperates with a stationaryconcave element .540 (Figs. l0and35) which .includes a part circular sheetrnetal plate 542,:secure'd to a generally: circular. housing por-.

tozthe sheet'rmetal side plates 488 :and,490,.or;to

suitable posts securedto the-frame bars 10 and 12.

Zig-zag bars 548,:which are each of generally concave-convex configuration in a vertical plane, with the concave side facing upwardly, are welded, riveted or otherwiseaflixed to the concave plate 542, and the upper edges ofthese bars are in relative closeproximity tothe path of the threshing bars 506. The zig-zag bars 548 in effect extend continuouslyfrom end to, end ofthe threshing cylinderv and each leg of eachlzig-zag bar preferably extends at an angle of substantially thirty degrees to the path of travel of the threshing bars 505. In other-words, as shown in Fig. 35, the legs-550, 552 and 554 of each zig-zag bar 548 extend at substantially an angle of thirty degrees to the line A representing the path of travel of a threshing bar 506. Stated in still another way, the legs 550, 552 and 554 of each zig-zag bar 548 preferably extend at an angle of \sixty'degrees to the faces of the threshing bars 506.- Applicant has found that jthe inclination of each leg .of a zig-.z ag concave bar to thepath of travel of the threshing bars at an angle of substantially thirty degrees is of great importance for minimizing cracking of the grain. as compared to arrangements in which concave-bars extend at'forty-five to ninety degrees .to the path of travel of the threshing bars. In fact, the zigzag concave bar of approximately thirty degrees inclinationso materially affects the performance of the threshing mechanism that it can efliciently handleall different types of crops without change in the spacing between the concave bars and thecylinder.

The threshing merit of a cylinder lies largely inits cracking-threshing ratio, which is the ratio between the speed at which the cylinder must be driven torget, a satisfactory .amount of grain out of the crop, and the speed at which the cylinder must be driven to substantially eliminate cracking of. the grain. ,It is this ratio, ormargin of safety between the two speeds that determines the practical efficiency .of a threshing cylinder. The spike-toothed cylinder so commonly .employed for threshing grain has an advantageous cracking-threshing ratio'or margin of safety, but cylinders of this type have to .have their concaves changed .under various conditions, and worst of all, such threshing cylinders cut the grain leaves up so badly that they make cleaning of the grain very difficult and expensive. Also these spike-toothed cylinders cannot handle damp, tough stalks very well. Applicants threshing cylinder has not only an advantageous cracking-threshing ratio equal to that of the spike-toothed cylinder, which has the best ratio of all the prior threshing cylinders, butby virtue of its construction the concaves do not need to be changed under various conditions or for various crops; the threshing cylinder does not cut up green weeds and .has been found to handle damp, tough straw very well and, without clogging.

The tubular shaft 486 of thethreshing cylinder being of relatively large diameter is of such greatly increased stiffness-over the known threshing cylinders that. it does not need to be dynamically balanced asv inthe case of prior cylinders.

The: feeder The feeder24 comprises upper and lower shafts 556 and .558 to which are secured 'elongatedrollers. 560 and. 562 respectively, whichrollers' extend substantially the full width of. theiheader 

